When the experts make mistakes in a criminal trial
By winterose
@winterose (39887)
Canada
March 27, 2008 11:52am CST
What is your opinion of experts making mistakes in a criminal trial,
it is serious no doubt, somebody might be innocent and sent to jail based on the the collaborating evidence in a trial from a so called specialist, a pathologist or whatever.
It is true that everyone can make mistakes, but this mistake can put somebody behind bars, or maybe even the death penalty.
How many mistakes is too much,
1 mistake, 100 mistakes?
why in your opinion are the pathologists making mistakes,
are they incompetent?
do they need special training in that field and the court systems are not picking the right experts for the job
are the lawyers simply picking so called experts that will testify in the favour of their client whether they really know what they are talking about or not?
there is a canadian inquiry going on about a dr. who has made 5 serious mistakes, he says it is not fair to be judged that way, he had 1,000 cases and he made mistakes in 5
is he right to feel it is unfair
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080327/smith_submissions_080327
1 person likes this
2 responses
@argie713 (1809)
• Philippines
27 Mar 08
Even experts do make mistakes but I guess they don't do these often. Sufficient evidence must be needed to persecute a criminal. So a single mistake may not affect the result of the trial and that single mistake also happens rarely. The case can be dropped due to lack of evidence, if they are not sure then they would not convict the criminal.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Mar 08
that is not the point, the testimony of the expert was taken as being real so they are sure but the expert was wrong and that only comes out later, that is where the problem lies and it happens all the time, have your read the link I posted?
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
28 Mar 08
In my opinion and from what I have heard, they sometimes pick the cheapest specialist,pathologist,Etc. So that means they might not be the most experienced at their job or new at it. The really good ones I am sure is very costly. Or they can have assistances that aren't very experienced therefore make slight mistakes that can either make or break a case. i think it is best for things to be checked and checked again in situations like that to make sure. 5 out of a 1,000 doesn't seem much, but tell that to the person whom the mistake was made or their families and the times wasted that that they sit in prison for something they didn't do that is time they never get back. I think that he will lose alot of business since he does make mistakes who wants to take that chance for their case. I think he better start stepping up his game and doing better if he wants to continue to have a career that pays well.
1 person likes this
